Contents

Background

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Radar won't pick us up!- Aurora Bomber

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Carrying a single high explosive bomb, the Aurora is most commonly used to destroy enemy structures. On its attack run, the Aurora's supersonic speeds prevents any enemy anti-aircraft weapons from successfully attacking it. However, on its return flight it can no longer sustain such a speed, and is very vulnerable.

The Auroras of General Malcolm Granger are equipped with point defense laser modules, allowing them to destroy incoming missiles with lasers, vastly improving the survivability of the unit alongside countermeasure flares, although there is still no defense against bullets, flak cannons, EMP bursts, and lasers.

General Alexis Alexander, the 'Super-weapon General', developed her own, far more dangerous version of the Aurora, known as the Aurora Alpha, which carries a fuel-air bomb. General Leang, a high-ranking Chinese general, also had access to Aurora, although she did not generally use them against any opponents attempting to attack her base.

Game unit

Tactics

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Delivering payload!- Aurora Bomber going in

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The primary purpose of the Aurora is demolition. Two Aurora bombs destroy most buildings. However, it is extremely vulnerable on its return run and had to be used carefully (as it was also very expensive). In addition to buildings, Auroras are effective at destroying slow-moving vehicles, such as artillery and Overlord tanks.

Counters

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Huaaaaaaaaaa!- An unfortunate Aurora Bomber

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Absolutely nothing can damage an Aurora on its bombing run, except EMP missiles or flak shells which explode near it, as their area of effect will damage them. However, any anti-aircraft weapon or fighter jet was effective once the Aurora slows down as they have extremely thin armor. They can also be destroyed by carelessly flying them through particle beams, exploding nuclear missiles and Scud storms.

Their reliance on airfields allows opposing Generals to strike them directly, therefore rendering them useless. While not on its bombing runs, the Aurora is also extremely vulnerable on the ground against almost everything that can shoot it.

It is also the most expensive unit in the game; at the cost of $2500, it is even more expensive than a basic Overlord Tank.

Assessment

Pros

Invulnerable and reasonably fast until releasing its payload, allowing it to penetrate air defenses

Bomb is very effective against most ground targets

Cons

Very expensive, at $2500

Bombs are inaccurate against fast-moving targets

Slows down and becomes vulnerable after releasing the payload

Weak armor

Helpless against aircraft

Selected Quotes

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Hi-speed bomber ready for takeoff!- When emerging from the Airfield

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Aurora in flight.- When selected

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Avionics online.- When selected

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Supersonic aircraft.- When selected

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Radar won't pick us up!- When selected

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Breaking the sound barrier.- When selected

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Fasten your safe-belts!- When taking off

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Ignition!- When taking off

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Lining up for the approach!- When taking off

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Hittin' the blowers!- When taking off

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Booster engaged!- When taking off

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Entering coordinates.- When moving

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Roger that.- When moving

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Designation set.- When moving

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Flight path confirmed.- When moving

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Stabilizers engaged.- When moving

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Navigation systems check.- When moving

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Target confirmed!- When ordered to attack

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Discharging munitions!- When ordered to attack

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Bombing bays cleared!- When ordered to attack

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Delivering payload!- When ordered to attack

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Passing overhead!- When ordered to attack

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Eject to safety!- When being shot down

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Huaaaaaaaaaa!- When being shot down

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Aaaaaaaaaaah!- When being shot down

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Fuel levels are critical!- When run out of fuel

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Making a landing request!- When run out of fuel

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Fuel gauges are in the red!- When run out of fuel

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Going supersonic!- When using Supersonic Boost

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Supersonic thruster powered up!- When using Supersonic Boost

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Prepare for sonic boom!- When using Supersonic Boost

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Bunker Buster bombs are ready, sir!- When the Bunker Buster upgrade is completed

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The Bunker Buster bombs are now installed!- When the Bunker Buster upgrade is completed

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Upgrading all bombs to Bunker Busters!- When the Bunker Buster upgrade is completed

Gallery

Videos

Trivia

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Hypersonic ready for take-off!- Cut Hypersonic Aurora's quote

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General Granger was originally meant to also have his own variant of the Aurora that did not only include a point defense laser module. Dubbed the "Hypersonic Aurora" which is colored black, it would have been armed with a fuel air bomb that has an extreme amount of damage (1000). This would make it overpowered, and is likely a reason for its removal. It has a model, voice sets and a selection picture, but for one reason or another it was not implemented in the game. One likely reason why General Granger did not recieve it maybe because it was given to General Alexander (without the Point Defence Laser) and renamed the Aurora Alpha, as evidenced by the extreme similarities between the Hypersonic Aurora and the Aurora Alpha. Only the cameo, soundset and model remain within the game files.

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Going supersonic!- Aurora's cut quote for the Supersonic Boost mode

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The standard Aurora was supposed to have a Supersonic Boost mode allowing the Aurora at the double of the speed, but it was removed possibly for balancing reasons.

The Aurora was possibly based in the top-secret supersonic aircraft of the same name, build in the late-1980 as a possible replacement to the SR-71, The U.S. government has consistently denied such an aircraft called Aurora was ever built.